Sicilian Defense: Closed, Anti-Sveshnikov with d6
Sicilian Defense: Closed
Definition
The Closed Sicilian is a family of systems that arise after the moves 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3, when White deliberately avoids the immediate central break 3. d4 that characterises the Open Sicilian. By refraining from early pawn exchanges in the centre, play remains “closed” for several moves, leading to slower, manoeuvring positions in which pawn storms, flank attacks and kingside space often dominate the strategic landscape.
Typical Move-Order
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 the main choices are:
- 2…Nc6 (most common) 3. g3, 3. f4, or 3. Nf3
- 2…d6 3. g3 or 3. f4
- 2…e6 3. g3 or 3. Nf3
Strategic Themes
- Kingside Expansion: White often plays f2–f4–f5 and g2–g4, launching a pawn storm while keeping the centre flexible.
- Dark-Square Control: The bishop usually lands on g2, eyeing the d5 and e4 squares. Knights often pivot via e2-g3-f5.
- Black’s Counterplay: Breaks with …d5 or …b5. The queenside majority (a7-b7-c5) can be mobilised with …a6 and …b5.
Historical Notes
The Closed Sicilian enjoyed a surge of popularity in the 1960s and 1970s thanks to players such as Boris Spassky, Bent Larsen and Vasily Smyslov, who used it as a practical weapon to avoid heavy theoretical debates. In the modern era, Magnus Carlsen, Sergey Tiviakov and Judit Polgár have adopted it as an occasional surprise.
Illustrative Example
Fischer–Geller, Sousse 1967 (simplified):
White built up slowly on the kingside and eventually won after a thematic pawn storm.Interesting Fact
Because the Closed Sicilian often keeps pawns on e4 and c5 locked for many moves, a complete middlegame can occur before any centre pawn exchange, making it one of the few double-edged openings where opposite-side castling is rare yet sharp attacks still flourish.
Anti-Sveshnikov Variation (Closed Sicilian)
Definition
The Anti-Sveshnikov is a sub-branch of the Closed Sicilian beginning 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4. The name stems from the fact that playing 2. Nc3 avoids the Open Sicilian move-order that leads to the ultra-theoretical Sveshnikov Variation (which requires 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4). White instead chooses a quieter but still ambitious structure with an early kingside pawn lever.
Main Ideas for White
- Rapid f-pawn advance: 3. f4 gains space, supports a future e4–e5 push and opens the f-file for rook pressure.
- Kingside Attack: Typical plans include Qe1–h4, g2–g4–g5, and sacrifices on e6 or f5 to prise open Black’s king.
- Flexible Centre: White often delays d2–d3 or d2–d4 until the kingside intentions are clear.
Black’s Defensive Resources
- …g6 & …Bg7 Set-ups: Challenging the f4-pawn and fighting for the dark squares.
- …e6 followed by …Nge7 & …d5: Seeking central counterplay.
- …d6 (“with d6” line): The classical reply leading to the specific branch addressed in the next section.
Historical & Practical Significance
Though rarer than the Open Sicilian, the Anti-Sveshnikov has served as a potent anti-theory weapon at high level. Sergey Tiviakov, an expert in the Classical Sveshnikov with Black, has also defended the Anti-Sveshnikov with the black pieces, making for ironic role reversals!
Notable Game
Carlsen vs. Gashimov, Nanjing 2009: Magnus used 3. f4 to steer the game into fresh territory, out-manoeuvred his opponent and won a model ending.
Fun Anecdote
Grandmaster Tiger Hillarp-Persson once joked that the Anti-Sveshnikov is like “bringing a guitar to a gunfight”—it looks harmless until you realise it can smash right through the opponent’s defences!
…d6 Line in the Anti-Sveshnikov (Sicilian Closed)
Definition
“With d6” refers to Black’s immediate 3…d6 after 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4, reaching the position:
. The move supports a future …e5, restrains e4–e5 by White, and prepares kingside fianchetto or quick piece development.Strategic Features
- Solid Centre: The pawn chain d6–e7 (or e6)–c5 mirrors Closed Sicilian structures, giving Black a firm foothold on the light squares.
- Flexible Piece Placement: Black may choose …g6, …e6, or even an early …Nf6 depending on White’s set-up.
- Timing of …e5: A well-timed central break can challenge the f4-pawn and free Black’s position.
Sample Continuation
One popular line goes 4. Nf3 g6 5. Bb5 Bd7 6. O-O Bg7 reaching a richly strategic middlegame where:
- White eyes f5 and a kingside attack.
- Black plans …e6, …Nge7 and a later …d5 break.
Illustrative Game
Fedorov – Tiviakov, European Ch. 2002
Tiviakov weathered the kingside pressure and broke through in the centre with …d5 to eventually prevail.Why It Matters
The …d6 line gives Black a reliable antidote to the Anti-Sveshnikov without entering the maze of mainline Sveshnikov theory. For club players it is an excellent “set-and-forget” system; for professionals it is a way to keep the position strategically rich yet theoretically manageable.
Trivia
The ECO code for this branch is B25, but many databases lump it under “B54” or simply “Closed Sicilian” — a reminder that opening nomenclature can be as slippery as a Sicilian pawn-storm!